British Association of Barbershop Singers

The British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) is the largest affiliate organisation of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Founded in the UK in 1974, BABS is also the oldest affiliate organisation, now celebrating its 43rd year of existence.

Every year BABS hosts the national quartet and chorus competitions, as well as the youth and senior quartet competitions. Every August they run a Harmony College, much like the Harmony University in the USA, where singers can participate in various streams and benefit from coaching from some of the eminent figures in the world of barbershop.

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History

In the late 1950s, Harry Danser, from Crawley, Sussex, visited the USA and found a large group of barbershop devotees. Harry had sung in a barbershop quartet during the music-hall days. On his return home he formed the Barbershop Four quartet which performed locally and gained a great deal of interest from the public. In 1964 the Crawley Barbershop Harmony Club was born. Ten years later the British Association of Barbershop Singers was formed.

Contests

BABS holds its national convention in May every year when choruses and quartets from all over the UK meet to compete, as well as to celebrate this hobby. The most recent convention was held in Bournemouth from 25-28 May 2017 at which Portobello Road were crowned Quartet Champions and The Great Western Chorus of Bristol won the Chorus competition. The guests at the convention were Lemon Squeezy and world-renowned A Cappella group The King's Singers.

In recent years on the Monday of convention there has also been a mixed barbershop chorus competition.